BiciRace.com :: News :: September 2005

News :: September 2005

11 September 2005

Heras and Menchov ... The Battle Brews

Scarponi For Heras, photo: © Unipublic

Today's stage of the 60th Vuelta a España might just be the last time for Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros-Würth) to distance himself from Denis Menchov (Rabobank). Stage 15, finishes on the top of Puerto de Pajares, a 14.2K climb that averages 6.1% gradient. After today, there are only 'flat' stages, and a time trial. On paper the Russian should be superior to the Spaniard in the final TT.

Yesterday's stage 14 was an opportunity for Heras to distance Menchov, but he was unable to unhook the Rabo-rider. Menchov remained glued to the wheel of Heras for all of the stage. "It is too soon to talk of victory. But I have passed the most difficult stage unharmed, and now Madrid is very close," said Menchov, who is in the lead by 47".

The Russian's tactics are entirely justifiable for a rider who has the leader's jersey. This is how the sport of cycling is played out, the pressure is on Heras to drop the leader and gain time. "I felt well, but not super, like in Valdelinares," explained the Liberty captain. "Already two weeks of race have passed ... I have done a good race, but as Menchov has resisted, keeping to my wheel, thus reducing the merits of my work."

Menchov Chats At Start, photo: © Unipublic

Heras looks to today's final mountain stage to make the difference. His team has the experience and depth, qualities that are lacking in the squadra of Menchov. Yesterday, after stage 14, Heras explained: "Tomorrow [stage 15] also is one very complicated day, especially the previous climbs, harder that those of today, which were actually all third category. We have the strongest team and we will use other tactics. After today Menchov will begin to miss his team, and it plays into our favor."

Heras did take a bad tumble a few days ago, in stage 12. He bloodied his knee, but he reports it is doing fine, "I am very satisfied with my knee, because when I fell down I thought that I had to abandon. After two days already I am calmer, and now I only worry about the risk of infection."

Simoni In Third on Covadonga

"For three days I was thinking about this stage," said Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita) after stage 14 of the Vuelta a España. The Italian finished 3rd, never able to catch the early escapees. "I tried to take advantage of the work of the other teams. We only have five of us left on our team, so it is not possible to do that much."

The 2X Giro d'Italia champions was caught up with the riders who were fighting the GC battle. The riders were more concerned with watching each other than catching Eladio Jiménez (Comunidad Valenciana). "I would have liked to be at the front, but at the end I was only ahead of the GC riders. Those riders were murdering all day for the classification battle. Heras put me in some difficulty ... his team made the race, and delivered Heras. Then when it was the time to truly attack, they had nothing."

Simoni, like Heras, looks to today's stage 15 as the last opportunity to score. Heras desperately needs to make time on Menchov, and the Italian would dearly love to win a stage. Meanwhile, Simoni's future contract negotiations are going on behind the scenes, and an announcement is expected any day.

60th Vuelta a España:
Startlist
Stages and Maps, Key Stages, Overall Map
Photos, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap

McEwen Wins in Brussels

McEwen Kung-Fu, photo: Davitamon-Lotto

Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) fired the warning shot for the upcoming World Championships in Madrid. Yesterday the Aussie captured his 24th victory of the season by winning the 85th Paris-Bruxelles. The win came from excellent team work by his Belgian Davitamon-Lotto squadra. In two weeks time McEwen will be street-fighting in Madrid, but with a different crew. He will have the backing of team Australia, and not his usual Belgian squadra. Just how this will play out for McEwen is yet to be determined. On thing is for certain, McJet has the legs and tricks to deliver the win.

"It was a victory of the team," explained McEwen. "My companions, with Axel Merckx in the front, did huge work to bring back the early escape. Then it was the work of Van Petegem, Mattan and Leukemans that kept the pace high, leaving no space for attacks." The Aussie then noted how he will not have this trade team at the Worlds, "unfortunately in Madrid I can't count on the work of Davitamon. My guys are the best men around to take me to the sprint, but they have to work for Tom Boonen."

Already you can see the conspiracy theories brewing for the Worlds. There will surely be accusations of Davitamon-Lotto teammates working for the Aussie, and not Tom Boonen. Boonen rides for the other Belgian outfit, Quick-Step. There are great rivalries between these two Belgian trade teams, and it is bound to spillover into the World Championships. Stay tuned, this will be exciting!

10 September News ...